Complaint
In an interview on this edition of Newscast, the MP David Lammy referred to the UK as the 鈥渟ixth richest economy in the world鈥. 聽A viewer complained this was inaccurate and had misled viewers.聽 The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the 大象传媒鈥檚 editorial standards of accuracy.
Outcome
Mr Lammy had been asked about Labour鈥檚 approach to foreign affairs and, in particular, its approach to the UK鈥檚 鈥渘earest neighbours鈥, to which he had replied 鈥淥f course, the big theme is that all foreign policy is now domestic policy. What that means is that for us, a security, with a seat on the Security Council, sixth richest economy in the world, we need to be connected to our allies and partners鈥. 聽In the ECU鈥檚 view the audience would have understood Mr Lammy was making a broad point about the UK鈥檚 standing and influence. 聽He referred specifically to the UK鈥檚 membership of the UN Security Council and its economic status relative to other countries. 聽Mr Lammy did not elaborate on whether he was referring to productivity, wealth, per capita income or any other metric, but in this context it was likely listeners would conclude he was offering a broad assessment rather than stating an incontrovertible fact about the UK economy.
Not upheld